2013 Formula One

[Scottie]

That was a shocker from vettel. I agree with Anthony Davidson - Mark let him past in the end. The disrespectful comment "Mark is too slow, get him out of the way" ...what a douche. And the decision of Red Bull swapping cars to return a win to Webber from vettel has the added dimension that vettel is currently leading the championship.

And it would be interesting to know if vettel had full engine power , or if he or the pit wall turned it down. Although I doubt the pit wall would have.

China will be very interesting like mentioned above

Also has anyone found a complete video of the FIA post race press conference. (Not talking about the podium one)

[Mr Ree]

Ive read the trascripts from the media conference, but havent found any footage yet, but tbh I havent looked hard either. There is also lots of post race interview photos circulating with some pretty uncomfortable body language.

Also, Red Bull couldnt have turned down Vettels engine as pit to car adjustments arent allowed anymore. It can only be done by the driver changing mixture etc on the steering wheel.

Webber has played his cards very well with this one I feel

[Scottie]

For those who haven't seen it - Sky F1 show from the 28/3/13

At 19m30sec they go through the previous Vettel, Webber 'team orders'

They talk for most of the show about Red Bull incident in Malaysia.

[Mr Ree]

Here is a trailer for Ron Howards upcoming F1 film "Rush"...I have to say I was slightly meh about it when I first heard it was being made, but over the years, It has caught my intrigue, and now after seeing the trailer, I cant wait for its release

http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/ ... _for_Rush/

Chinese GP this weekend, with soft and medium tyres on a track that DESTROYS tyres, especially the front left die to the 2 'snails' on the circuit. It will be very interesting to see who can find the optimal setup to make them last more than 10 laps or so.

Lets hope for RBR to be side by side at the start as there is a fuse just waiting to be lit

[Mr Revhead]

Yeah I followed the making of it and it looks pretty cool!

Lol you stirrer

[Mr Ree]

Hehe, yes, I shouldnt really say things like that, but I will admit to wanting to see Mark give Vettel a hard time as this weekend is his best chance to try and leverage the upper hand off him, as whether Seb thinks it will happen or not, there will be a distinctly different reaction to his arrival in the pitlane from many sectors, including his own team, and it wont be a positive one.

He will need to be extremely concentrated to not let it affect his weekend in a negative way.

Cant wait to watch the thursday drivers media conference, as you just know theyre going to put Seb under the microscope which will no doubt get his weekend off to a frustrating start.

[steroidcontaskie]

+1 more Mark wiping that stupid grin of Vettels face. Either that or Kimmy winning then saying something about trying to lose so he could see what the red bulls would do this time.

[Mr Ree]

Oh well, it seems Seb has decided to dig an even deeper hole now...its a real shame to see someone undoing their positive rep built up over years, in over a few weeks...

With his flip-flopping since Malaysia, His words now mean nothing to anybody, including his team. Saying you will defy teams orders again if put in the same position is tantamount to sticking a finger in your bosses face, Christian Horner sure has his work cut out to reign in his beligerant employee, thats for certain.

I know Seb doesnt have a manager to advise him on everything, but Im seriously shocked than somebody hasnt gone and taught him something about damage control, but its as if he has just been left to speak for himself without any advice, when in this instance, that has clearly not been the correct thing to do.

Mark on the other hand is still just being very calm about it all, and not trying to create any headlines..Im certain this situation plays into his hands as he always performs best when his backs up against the wall.

Oh well, it sure will make for a very interesting weekend/season...

P1 in 1.5 hours, cant wait to see how the left front copes with the constant loads that this track demands, especially given how tyre hungry the RBR is, we might find ourselves in the same position as 3 weeks ago lol

[Jdawg]

Lol, for years everybody has been whining about team orders and how drivers should be allowed to race each other, but now it is not Ferrari doing it, it is horrendous. Why can't Seb be a good German like Nico and do what he is told.
Good on Seb for putting heat on Horner. I would be pissed as well if my boss just told me he is manufacturing the result of this years championship.
I love it when drivers dump the marketing BS and just say it.
Same result for Seb as with Lewis . They all start calling him mad when they show their ture feelings at times.

[2jayzgte]

Oh well whats f-1 with out a bit of drama.

Vettel is who he is he wants to win at all costs and be damned with his teamate.

[Mr Revhead]

Missed qually, what happened to Redbull?
Kimi 2nd..... looking good!
Apparently every time an ex UK PM has died Lotus or the Enstone based team has won next race out

[Scottie]

Webber had fuel issue early in q2 and had to park it out on track. Vettel didn't do a timed lap in q3, just and out and in lap, crossing the finishing line once. Which means he can choose tyres for the race.

[Mr Ree]

Yes it should be interesting with the top 7 on options, and then everyone else from Button back running on primes.

Those at the front will be expecting 6 or 7 laps if they are lucky so they better pray for no early safety car interventions.

Go Felipe

[2jayzgte]

Thats the most dominant I've seen Ferrari & Alonso in few years.They had complete control from pretty much the get go as soon as Alonso hit the front it seemed that was all she wrote.

I think once Mecedes get a better jist on the long runs with there tyre wear they will be dangerous aswell.

[Mr Ree]

Yes, it was a very interesting, and exciting race.

Ferrari sure have built a better car this year, as have Mercedes, but lets wait and see how Bahrain pans out in a few days, as yet again, it only takes a change of track temp by 2 or 3 degrees up or down, for certain teams to fall out of the tyres optimal operating window with their car, so the picture will surely change again.

Tyre changes are coming after, or just in time for Barcelona, so expect slightly more durable, less peaky, tyres, and also, free rubber in FP1 for any teams that choose to run a third/reserve driver, to keep the track action as high as possible.

Im amazed that Perez got away without penalty for squeezing Kimi off the track though, that was pretty poor driving by him.

Well done to Ricciardo for not only qualifying 7th, but managing to hold it for the race, I bet I wasnt alone in presuming he would slowly fall back into the mid pack. RBR's second seat next year? Possibly

[2jayzgte]

Yes, it was a very interesting, and exciting race.

Ferrari sure have built a better car this year, as have Mercedes, but lets wait and see how Bahrain pans out in a few days, as yet again, it only takes a change of track temp by 2 or 3 degrees up or down, for certain teams to fall out of the tyres optimal operating window with their car, so the picture will surely change again.

Tyre changes are coming after, or just in time for Barcelona, so expect slightly more durable, less peaky, tyres, and also, free rubber in FP1 for any teams that choose to run a third/reserve driver, to keep the track action as high as possible.

Im amazed that Perez got away without penalty for squeezing Kimi off the track though, that was pretty poor driving by him.

Well done to Ricciardo for not only qualifying 7th, but managing to hold it for the race, I bet I wasnt alone in presuming he would slowly fall back into the mid pack. RBR's second seat next year? Possibly

Reith I actually think Raikkonen and Alonso have there head around how to use there rubber the best,especially Alonso he seems to me now Ferrari have given him a car to fight with seems to be the most dangerous.

[2jayzgte]

What does everyone think of Toyota's involvement in helping F-1 teams with regards to wind tunnel testing.I think its by no fluke that Ferrari's improved performance this year is in doubt to the use of the Toyota's wind tunnel at Cologne.

Apparently a few of the F-1 teams are lining up to use this facility as they have better data aquisition software from what I have seen and the time spent in the tunnel teams can correlate more data vs alot of other wind tunnels out there from other sources.

[Mr Ree]

Yes, Toyotas wind tunnel is state of the art, and used for multiple platforms, whether its other companies road cars, or in this case, F1 teams like Ferrari and McLaren using it to correlate data against their own tunnels.

Its no secret that Ferrari have had massive issues in this area over the past 3 seasons, with their data from the 50% models, not correlating to the data the collect on track.

But I think alot of the reason for Ferrari's resurgence is that they are getting on top of the pull rod suspension, and that this years car is essentially an extension of last years car, so they are just fine tuning the platform, and given the laws of diminishing returns, the other teams that were in front of them last season have less to gain within the scope of the current regulations.

Its great to see Massa back up their, punching hard, and keeping Alonso honest too. He has fully recovered his form and if the team can keep their upwards trend going, then I feel he will be a major part of this years championship.

I hope Mark is on pole, and roughs up Seb on his way into the first corner, as its his turn to collect the shiny stuff this weekend.

P.S McLaren must be disappointed again, as it seems the new upgrades have done very little to inprove their pace. They were clearly behind both of the Force India's, and STR's, so its not looking good for them. If they dont turn thigngs around over the next race or two, I would expect them to do something they dont tend to do, and write off this year to try and get a jump on the 2014 car while their normal competition fight for this years championship. It could be a very inspired move, as next year, everyone and everything starts from zero, not just the points table.

Go Massa, Go Webber, Go Kimi

[Mr Revhead]

McLaren. Honda.

[Mr Ree]

Yes

Lets hope for the McLaren orange of old too